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Economy

Twenty-five per cent of West Africa’s nearly 2 000 urban agglomerations can be described as satellite towns. These 461 towns have a combined population of 14.4 million or 11% of the total urban population of West Africa. Nigeria is the country with the greatest number of satellite towns (367). Satellite towns are, by definition, modest in size with an average of 31 000 inhabitants. Read on

From 30-31 March 2017, the OECD hosted the fifth edition of the 2017 Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum on the theme, ‘‘In the public interest: Taking integrity to higher standards.’’ Nigerian Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo participated as the keynote speaker. In his statement entitled, ‘‘United action is the key,’’ Osinbajo highlighted the immense challenges that corruption and illicit financial flows pose in developing countries. Read on

Food prices in West African countries are significantly higher than in other areas of the world with comparable levels of development. This situation seriously affects food security and the welfare of households. It is, according to Thomas Allen from the Sahel and West Africa Club Secretariat, “one more reason to unlock the trade potential of the region,” writing in the Rural 21 magazine. Read on

“Strengthening rural livelihoods in the face of rapid urbanisation in Africa” was the topic of a Brussels Briefing organised on 20 March by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), BMZ/GIZ and partners. Thomas Allen, from the Sahel and West Africa Club Secretariat (SWAC/OECD) participated in a panel discussion on rural transformation and job creation. His presentation argued that although the farming sector will continue to provide the most jobs, labour is increasingly moving out of farming, requiring people to develop different skills. Read on

On 25 February 2017, Morocco officially asked the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to become a full member. Morocco has been an observer to ECOWAS and has developed strong political, human, historical, religious and economic ties at all levels with ECOWAS member countries. Read on

Ghana is 60 years old. This birthday is an opportunity to review some of the country’s great achievements since it gained independence in 1957. Its first achievement is the country’s political stability. It has undergone several elections and changes of governments that were conducted without violence. In 2016, Ghana was ranked as the sixth most peaceful country in Africa and the 44th in the world. Read on

The three northern regions of Ghana are home to 60% of the poor people in the whole country. By 2030, southern Ghana might have successfully eradicated poverty, while 40% of its northern population will still remain poor. How can Ghana overcome these strong regional disparities? Read on

The 2016 Corruption Perceptions Index, published by Transparency International, draws a disturbing picture of the perceived level of corruption in West Africa. Admittedly, the region includes Cabo Verde, which is second on the list of best-rated African countries after Botswana. But in general, the situation is worrying. Read on

With the return of Morocco decided on 30 January 2017, all African states are now members of the African Union. The 55 members are grouped into five geographic regions (North, South, West, East and Central). The diaspora was constituted as the sixth region in 2003 to encourage the participation of people of African origin living outside the continent. Read on

Despite the economic slow-down, Africa has enormous unexploited development potential. The continent needs to adjust to the current situation and invest in its future, explained Roger Nord, Deputy Director of the IMF’s African Department, in an article published on the Ideas4Development blog. Read on